Disposable Disruption: When Plastic Waste Tilts the Scales

Plastic has become the material of modern convenience. It wraps groceries, packages consumer goods, and appears in everyday life as disposable cups, straws, and containers. Yet, behind this convenience lies an often-overlooked consequence: plastic waste is quietly reshaping the global economy, subtly shifting the scales of environmental and financial stability.

A now deleted Facebook post among Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) students called out the pile of plastic wrappers and cups left behind by a Takoyaki stall that had been unopened since the start of the school year. Students came and went, casually leaving their trash as if it would disappear on its own—a “bahala na si Batman” type of situation. But while they moved on, the plastic didn’t. It stayed, piling up like the larger global crisis that too often goes unnoticed—quiet, persistent, and far from disposable.

Despite the labeled trash bins scattered across campus for proper waste segregation, Haribons seem to have made a habit of ignoring them. Instead of using the bins as intended, they toss their garbage into whatever's most convenient, paying no mind to the system that’s been in place for years. The recycling efforts? Just another set of rules to bypass which adds more to the current waste dilemma.

The Bigger Picture: From Sachets to Climate Disruption

What Haribons don’t realize is that plastic waste creates more problems than it already is. It’s a disruption that begins long before it reaches the trash. From its origins in fossil fuel extraction to its lingering presence in oceans and landfills, plastic leaves a trail of pollution. 

Asian countries, including the Philippines, are often blamed for topping the waste charts as the world’s polluters. However, this narrative obscures the real issue:  corporate-driven plastic production. 

Blaming these countries (and the Philippines) for pollution while batting an eye towards the global corporations flooding the markets with disposable packaging overlooks the real source of the problem—it’s a clear case of waste colonialism. This framing distracts from addressing the real root of the problem and lets those truly responsible off the hook.

One misleading graphic recently circulating on social media places several Asian countries as the leading contributors to ocean plastic waste. But this narrative overshadows the fact that it's large corporations—often based outside of Asia—that have catalyzed this crisis, using the sachet economy to penetrate low-income markets. Meanwhile, solutions like recycling have proven insufficient to combat this tidal wave of waste.

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The Tingi Economy: Corporate Profit at the Expense of a Nation

In countries like the Philippines, where affordability is a daily struggle, corporations have leaned into a solution that serves the masses: the tingi economy. Single-use sachets, made from flexible plastic laminates such as polyethylene and polypropylene, package everything from shampoo to soy sauce. These sachets allow the most economically vulnerable to access essential products without needing to buy in bulk. While convenient, they are also driving the Philippines to the top of global plastic pollution rankings. Corporations have normalized this culture of disposability, their aggressive marketing strategies making the sachet the dominant form of packaging. This approach isn’t just a response to demand—it's a strategy that ensures their products penetrate every corner of society, especially in third-world countries like the Philippines.

Plastic production, driven by these corporate strategies, is a global juggernaut. Today, 99% of plastics are derived from fossil fuels, with production set to double by 2040. These products, particularly sachets, have become so ingrained in daily life that removing them seems almost impossible. But what’s less visible is the broader impact: plastic pollutes at every stage of its life cycle, and by 2050, plastic production is predicted to consume 31% of our remaining global carbon budget. Even at current levels, plastic alone will account for 19% of that budget—more than the energy and transport sectors combined.

Beyond Waste Management: A Systemic Crisis

The plastic crisis is often framed as a simple "waste management" issue, but the reality is far more complex. Plastic pollutes at every stage of its existence, from the extraction of raw materials to the toxic by-products of disposal and incineration. The focus on recycling as the solution only scratches the surface. Only a small percentage of plastics are ever truly recycled, while the rest either pollutes the environment or gets dumped in landfills.

In the Philippines, living close to trash sites like Smokey Mountain has become a health hazard, as toxic fumes and plastic waste contaminate the air and water. The same corporations profiting from this cycle of waste remain distant from the consequences, while local communities are left to cope with the environmental and health impacts. The fight against plastic pollution is not just a battle for cleaner oceans—it’s a fight for environmental justice.

A Call to Action: Beyond Individual Responsibility

If Haribons can’t manage the simplest act of proper waste disposal, what does that say about their commitment to sustainability? Trash bins dot the campus, yet without genuine effort, they remain nothing more than decoration. And the campus? Still as cluttered as ever.

But here’s the reality: change starts with individual choices, yet personal efforts alone are not enough to tackle the enormity of the plastic crisis. Recycling initiatives and reducing plastic use are commendable steps, but the issue runs deeper than personal responsibility. Real change demands a broader perspective—one that calls for collective action from communities, industries, and corporations.

For Filipinos bearing the brunt of plastic waste, it’s time to move beyond the empty promises of corporate greenwashing. While companies champion eco-friendly campaigns, these efforts often fall short of meaningful impact. The path forward requires us to pressure businesses into abandoning ineffective tactics, reducing reliance on single-use plastics, and committing to sustainable alternatives. It’s not just about individuals making better choices—it’s about corporations prioritizing the planet over profit and embracing systemic change that safeguards public health and the environment.

As we mark Environmental Awareness Month, one truth stands out: the choices we make today shape the world we will inherit tomorrow. For future professionals, even the smallest decisions—like properly disposing of waste—carry the weight of addressing a growing crisis. These seemingly minor actions define not just who we are but also the legacy we leave behind. The question lingers: will we rise as stewards of change or stand as silent witnesses to a world on the brink? The answer is in our hands, and the time to act is now.